1. SAFE Sanctuaries Training
Salado United Methodist Church

2. Scriptures
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”- Matthew 19:14
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”- Psalm 22:6
An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.”- Luke 9:46-48

3. Occurrences and Statistics
The National Center for Child Abuse and Neglect reports that there are more than two million incidents of physical abuse and/or neglect per year in the USA. That amounts to 30 out of every 1000 children.
Studies have estimated that 1 out of 3 girls is sexually abused before the age of 18. Similarly, studies indicate 1 out of 7 boys have been sexually abused before the age of 18. Even more frightening is that these numbers may be underestimated since many children are reluctant to report abuse.

4. Occurrences and Statistics
The National Committee for the Prevention of Child Abuse in the USA reports that 2000 deaths attributable to child abuse and/or neglect occur each year.
Let's think again about the first number listed: two million incidents of abuse per year. That equals 5,479 children abused each day; approximately 228 children abused per hour; nearly 4 (3.8) children abused per minute; and one child abused every 15 seconds, night or day, weekday or weekend, Sabbath or otherwise!

5. Reasons to Implement a Child Abuse Prevention Strategy
1. We are a community of faith that can offer a safe haven and sanctuary where children and youth can seek advice, help, and nurture.
2. We are a community of faith where more than just facts of child abuse can be taught. We can also teach and proclaim our Christian values: compassion, justice, repentance, and grace.
3. We are a community of faith where children can come and learn and develop the inner strength and spiritual resources they will need to feel truly connected to God and to face suffering and evil.
4. We are a community of faith where children and adults are able to learn how to respond to painful and confusing events using the wisdom of the Scriptures.

6. What is abuse?
And how can we recognize it?

7. Physical Abuse Violent non-accidental contact which results in injury.
This includes, but is not limited to, striking, biting or shaking.
Injuries include bruises, fractures, cuts, and burns.

8. Physical Abuse Indicators
Hostile and aggressive behavior towards others
Fearfulness of parents and/or other adults
Destructive behavior toward self, others and/or property
Inexplicable fracture or bruises inappropriate for child’s developmental stage
Burns, facial injuries, pattern of repetitious bruises

9. Emotional Abuse
A pattern of intentional conduct which crushes a child's spirit and attacks his/her self-worth through rejection, threats, terrorizing, isolating, or belittling.
Victims get the message that they are worthless, bad, unloved, and undeserving of love and care.
This type of abuse is difficult to prove and is devastating to the victim.

10. Emotional Abuse Indicators
Exhibits severe depression and/or withdrawal
Exhibits severe lack of self esteem
Failure to thrive
Threatens or attempts suicide
Speech and/or eating disorders
Goes to extremes to seek adult approval
Extreme passive/aggressive behavior patterns

11. Neglect
Endangering a youth or child’s health, welfare and safety through negligence.
This may include withholding food, medical care, affection, even education.
Neglect may be the most common form of abuse
Although difficult to prove, reports of neglect should not be ignored.

12. Neglect Indicators Failure to thrive
Pattern of inappropriate dress for climate
Begs or steals food; chronic hunger
Depression
Untreated medical conditions
Poor hygiene

13. Ritual Abuse
Abuse in which physical, sexual, or psychological violations of a child are inflicted regularly, intentionally, and in a stylized way by a person or persons responsible for the child’s welfare.
Reports of ritual abuse are often extremely horrifying and may seem too grim to be true. Children making reports of ritual abuse must not be ignored.

14. Ritual Abuse Indicators
Disruption of memory or consciousness
Unexplained mistrust and mood swings
Flashbacks
Eating disorders
Fear of the dark (sundown, full moon)
Agitation or despair that seems to occur in cycles
Fear of ministers, others wearing robes or uniforms
Nightmares or sleeping disorders
Any of the symptoms of sexual abuse

15. Sexual Abuse
Any form of sexual activity with a child, whether at the Church, at home, or any other setting. The abuser may be an adult, an adolescent, or another minor.

16. Sexual Abuse Indicators
Unusually advanced sexual knowledge and/or behavior for child’s age and developmental stage
Depression-cries often for no apparent reason
Promiscuous behavior
Runs away from home and refuses to return
Difficulty walking or sitting
Bruised/bleeding vaginal or anal areas
Exhibits frequent headaches, stomachaches, extreme fatigue
Sexually transmitted diseases

17. Additional Indicators of abuse
Children who have been sexually abused at church may exhibit some of the following:
Unusual nervousness or anxiety about being left in the nursery or Sunday school class
Reluctance to participate in church activities that were previously enthusiastically approached
Comments such as “I don’t want to be alone the ___” in reference to another (such as a Sunday school teacher)
Nightmares including a worker or teacher as a frightening character
Unexplained hostility toward a worker or teacher

18. Who are abusers?
The balance of power

19. The abusers
Abusers can be found in every racial, ethnic, economic, and social group.
They can look very much like us, some are very sociable, other are charismatic leaders
They can be married, single, have children, be quite young or old

20. How does abuse happen?
Abuse happens when a person exerts his or her power over a child in ways that harm and/or exploit the child.
The abuser is powerful; the child is vulnerable
The power comes from several sources:
Size
Position
Knowledge
Money

21. What are we doing?
How we keep our children and workers safe

22. SUMC’s Safe Sanctuaries Policy
“Member Profiles” and background checks, completed every two years
This training, to be completed each year
Reviewing and following SUMC’s Safe Sanctuary Policy

23. Adult Conduct Procedures
Wear Nametag: Adult volunteers will always wear approved nametags while working with Children, Youth, or Vulnerable Adults. Individuals are responsible for bringing their nametags.
Always Visible: At no time should an adult be hidden from view with a student.
Never Alone: A minimum of two approved adult volunteers is required with every group of Children, Youth, or Vulnerable Adults at all Salado UMC activities. (Stephen’s Ministry and Congregational Care may minister in a one on one situation if they so choose as they have additional appropriate conduct safeguards and procedures in place.)

24. Adult Conduct Procedures Cont.
Touch Safely: At no time should an adult touch a child in an unsafe or inappropriate manner.
Alcohol Policy: At no time should alcoholic beverages be consumed or distributed during events involving Children, Youth, or Vulnerable Adults.
Age Difference: Except in the case of events involving Vulnerable Adults, the youngest approved adult volunteer must be at least two (2) years older than the oldest supervised participant. Youth and children volunteers may assist the two approved adult volunteers or staff, but may not be alone with children or youth.

25. Adult Conduct Procedures Cont.
Adult Supervision Ratios:
The supervision ratio for children is ten (10) children to one (1) adult.
Youth supervision ratios will be determined by the youth leadership according to the needs of the event.
Travel:
Overnight Coed activities require both male and female approved adult volunteers and/or staff without exception.
Approved adult volunteers and/or staff who drive children, youth, or vulnerable adults to events must: 1) have a current driver’s license, and 2) have valid auto insurance.
A single approved adult volunteer and/or staff must be in each vehicle, as long as at least two children are in the vehicle. Exception: Parents may be alone in the vehicle with their own child.

26. Nursery Policies- Caregivers
All caregivers that are hired to work in the nursery have completed the screening process and have undergone a personal interview. They are also closely observed by the Nursery Director and the Director of Nurture while working with the children.
Caregivers wear a nametag and a smock so they are easily identified.
Access to the child while in the care of the nursery is limited to nursery personnel only.
No one under the age of 18 is allowed to pick-up a child from the nursery (this includes siblings). (Parents under the age of 18 may pick up their own child from the nursery.)

27. Nursery Policies-Nursery Rooms
Children are signed into their room on a sign-in sheet that includes the following information: child’s name, age, parents name, adult to pick up, time in and time out.
All rooms are equipped with “Dutch doors” and “window doors” to allow parents visual access to their child at all times.

28. Nursery Policies- Paging System
 Paging: The nursery uses a paging system that is campus wide so the parents can be easily located. Parents will be asked to leave their phone number so they can be paged in case they are needed.

29. Reporting Procedures
The reporting requirements of SUMC’s Safe Sanctuary Policy and the State of Texas must be complied with.
Reporting Noncompliance: Report noncompliance (i.e. an individual not following policy) to the nearest staff member, who will take the appropriate action.
If an accident occurs, please fill out an accident report. One copy will be given to the parent of the child and another kept by the staff member responsible for the program/event for reference purposes.

30. Reporting Procedures- Reporting Abuse
If abuse is encountered in progress and the situation allows for an individual to safely bring the situation to an end, do so immediately.
Any person who observes or suspects that abuse has occurred concerning a Child, Youth, or Vulnerable Adult must immediately report the abuse (orally or in writing) to the Pastor. The pastor will take immediate action.
A written report will be made.
If abuse is suspected or observed, it will be reported to the State of Texas Family Services hotline phone number (available 24 hours a day, seven days a week).

31. Questions and Comments?

32. Sources and Resources
Salado United Methodist Church Safe Sanctuary Policy
A Model For Training Workers – From the Central Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church ( Z/Safe_Sanctuaries_A_Model_for_Training_Worke rs_X2FKNZDN.pdf)
Thornburg Melton, Joy. Safe Sanctuaries: Reducing the Risk of Abuse in the Church for Children and Youth. Nashville, TN: Discipleship Resources, 2008.

33. Safe Sanctuaries Participation Covenant Statement
Please print off two copies of these last two slides. Keep one copy for yourself and turn the other into the church office of Salado United Methodist Church
Safe Sanctuaries Participation Covenant Statement
The congregation of Salado United Methodist Church is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all children, youth, workers, and volunteers who participate in ministries and activities sponsored by the church. The following policy statements reflect our congregation’s commitment to preserving this church as a holy place of safety and protection for all who would enter and as a place in which all people can experience the love of God through relationship with others.
No adult who has been convicted of child abuse (either sexual, physical, emotional, or ritual abuse or neglect) should volunteer to work with either children or youth in any church-sponsored activity.
All adult volunteers involved with children or youth of our church must be documented attenders of Salado UMC and have passed the screening process satisfactorily. Eligibility regarding “regular attendance” is at the discretion of the directors of Youth, Outreach, Witness, or Nurture.
Adult volunteers with children and youth shall observe the “Two Adult Rule” at all times so that no adult is left alone with children or youth on a routine basis.
Adult volunteers with children and youth shall attend regular training and educational events provided by the church to keep volunteers informed of church policies and state laws regarding child abuse.
Adult volunteers shall immediately report to their supervisor or the nearest staff member any behavior that seems abusive or inappropriate.

34. Please answer the following questions:
As a volunteer in this congregation, do you agree to observe and abide by all church policies regarding working in ministries with children, youth, and vulnerable adults? __ Yes __ No
As a volunteer in this congregation, do you agree to participate in training and education events provided by the church related to your volunteer assignment? __ Yes __ No
As a volunteer in this congregation, do you agree to observe the “Two Adult Rule” at all times? __ Yes __ No
As a volunteer in this congregation, do you agree to promptly report abusive or inappropriate behavior to your supervisor or nearest staff member? __ Yes __No
As a volunteer in this congregation, do you agree to inform a minister of this church if you have ever been convicted of child abuse? __ Yes __ No
I have read the Safe Sanctuaries covenant statement and policy of Salado United Methodist Church and have attended the required training. I agree to observe and abide by the policies set forth within the Safe Sanctuaries covenant statement and policy of Salado United Methodist Church.
______________________________________ ______________
Signature of Volunteer Date
______________________________________
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